Case for maps or sheets



(No Model.)

- E. B. STRONG. CASE FOR MAPS OR SHEETS.

No. 447,983. Patented Mar. 10, 1891.

TIME T/IE'LES SHE/RCO.

A UNITE STATES ATENT rricnlq ED\VARD B. STRONG, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

CASE FOR MAPS OR SHEETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.447,983, dated March 10, 1891.

Application filed August 13, 1890. Serial No. 361,879- (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD B. STRONG, of San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Method of Mounting, Maps or other Sheets Requiring Rolling; and I hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, showing the manner of constructing and applying my invention.

My invention relates to a convenient form of mounting maps or other sheets of printed matter that require rolling; and it consists in the employment of tubes within which are winding-spools on which the sheets are woun d by the action of a spring, and the application of these tubes or cylinders to the end or ends of a desk, to the backs of books of reference or other books, and also in a portable form to be carried in the pocket and conveniently referred to without injury to the maps or sheets.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows one of my improved rolling-cases partly in section to exhibit the mechanism for operating the spool. Fig. 2 is an end View of Fig. 1, showing the stop-pin that arrests the motion of the winding-spool. Fig. 3 is a section through the spool on line Z Z, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a flat view of the spring employed to operate the stop-pin that keeps the windingspool in position. Fig. 5 shows the application of one of my improved rolling-cases to a common desk. Fig. 6 shows the application to a book of reference or a book that requires folding sheets larger than its pages. Fig. 7 is an end view of Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 shows the pocket form of my improved rolling-cases.

Similar letters of reference on the different figures indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to Fig. 1, the outer case A can be made of anysuitable material-metal, paper, or papier-mach. The ends B are provided with bearings C for the axis of the spool D, and are preferably made of metal to resist wear. The spool D has flanged ends E and is made hollow to accommodate a coil-spring F, which is attached to the axis G and to one of the heads B, as shown in Fig. 1. This spring being all the time in tension, it serves to revolve the spool D and automatically wind 7 up the map H whenever it is released.

In the case of use on a desk or for sheets of large size there is provided a stop, as shown in Fig. 1, consisting of a flat spring I, which is riveted or fastened to one of the heads B, as shown at J, Fig. 1. This springhasahole in the center (shown at L, Fig. 4) that fits loosely around the axle G, so as not to interfere with free flexure. In drawing out Athis spring is pulled back by means of the stoppin K, which extends out through the head B, as shown in Fig. 1; or, if desired, the pin K is provided with a bevel-point on one side, so the map H can be drawn out Without pulling the pin K, but will be locked when the motion of the spool D is reversed, thus exposing only so much of the maps H as is required and holding them in position until the pin K is withdrawn, when the winding will begin by reason of the coil-spring F.

In use on the desk, as shown in Fig.5, I attach the case Ato the top M of the deskN by means of flexible hinge O, which may be of leather or other flexible material, or of metal for heavy cases and large maps.

When not in use, the case A is suspended below the level of the top M in the position shown by dotted lines at P, Fig. 5, and when Wanted for use can be immediately brought to the top, as shown, and the map H drawn out on M for use. By pulling the pin K the map is instantly rolled up in case A, and then can be dropped to the position at P, leaving the top of the desk M entirely clear for other uses.

In the case of a book I attach the case A to the back,as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, in such manner as not to interfere with the use of the book Q when the map is not required. In case the map is to be referred to the book Q, is shut and the map II drawn out, as seen in Fig. 6. In the case of large books and maps I employ a stop-motion, as shown in Fig. 1, in the manner heretofore explained.

For pocket use I construct the rolling cases, as seen in Fig. 8, in the form of a plain cylinder, so as to be conveniently carried in the pocket. W hen to be consulted, the map or other sheet H is drawn out, and afteruse returns to its position the same as in previous cases explained.

Having thus described myinvention and the mode of constructing,applyingmnd usingthe same, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a rolling-case for maps or sheets, the combination of the outer case A, having the ends B B provided with bearings C, the spool D, having axle G, supported in the bearings C, the coiled spring F, surroui'lding axle G, one end being connected to said axle and the other to one of the heads B, and the stop consisting of a flat spring, I, which is riveted or fastened to one of the heads B and is provided with a central hole L, which loosely surrounds 

